Experiences from the UK of Avoiding Unnecessary Opioid Prescribing in Primary Care Using Enhanced Feedback

The ongoing opioid crisis is having devastating effects on families and communities in Canada and around the world. There is no one simple solution to solve this complex health and social issue.

Join the De/Implement series on December 14 at 12 p.m. ET to hear from Dr. Sarah Alderson, General Practitioner in West Yorkshire, United Kingdom and Clinical Associate Professor in Primary Care at the University of Leeds. Dr. Alderson will describe an audit and feedback intervention to assist general practices across West Yorkshire with opioid prescribing known as, The Campaign to Reduce Opioid Prescribing (CROP).

CROP delivered bimonthly enhanced feedback over one year to 316 primary care practices in West Yorkshire, UK. The feedback was well received, and West Yorkshire bucked national upward trends in opioid prescribing: 15,000 fewer people in West Yorkshire were given opioid prescriptions over the year, with greatest reductions in those at higher risk of adverse drug reactions, such as adults aged 75 years and above. It is estimated that CROP led to a net savings of more than £700,000. Dr. Alderson will discuss how and why the feedback intervention worked in this context, key lessons learned, and tips for primary care practices and clinicians who want to reduce opioid prescribing.